Chapter 189

“Phew. Just as expected, this meeting is no different. The prejudice against Westerners is so intense.”

Beside Pollux, his subordinate shook his head.

“Let’s stop this. What expectations? For the Empire to see us differently, it won’t be decades, but centuries.”

“…”

“Chief? Not getting up? If we keep this up, we’ll be branded by the Empire.”

Even though he was asked right beside him if he wasn’t going to get up, Pollux still remained with his arms crossed, not budging.

His gaze wandered into the void as he muttered to himself.

“If it’s really true… there might be an opportunity after all.”

“Chief? What did you say just now? I couldn’t hear.”

“Parkan. Right now, our land on the Western front has been mostly secured, right?”

“Huh? Uh, yeah. Since we reinforced the walls with concrete and such, we’ve been conserving our strength and advancing.”

“Hmm.”

Pollux recalled the guest who visited him a few days ago upon hearing that.

With neatly arranged pink hair, she came to him.

It was Claire Bargrand.

“From what I heard, the House of Aiferos holds a high position among the Westerners. I came here because I need their help to talk with the House of Rilfetten about this matter.”

The relationship between Westerners and Empire folk isn’t good.

The treatment one receives at the bar where Pollux hides speaks volumes about how much they avoid each other.

Barbarians.

Westerners are still called this derogatory term.

Going to meet such Westerners is truly surprising. Even more so since it’s not just any house, but the House of Bargrand.

“Normally, I would have refused… But…”

That last sentence was sincere.

“I… have caught hold of Carsein’s ankle. So, I can’t directly help.”

Clenching her lips, she had a somewhat reproachful attitude.

One could vaguely sense that the blame was directed at herself.

“Parkan.”

“Yes, Chief.”

“I need to visit Rilfetten. I must leave immediately.”

“What? Suddenly?”

“There’s a reason.”

Pollux immediately went outside and mounted his horse.

***

When thinking of allies of Carsein, no names come to mind readily.

He doesn’t have friends.

If asked if he had close friends among the nobility of his age, the answer would be none.

Rather, they were the ones who tormented him, leading him to cause accidents.

Many plotted against him, framing him for crimes, and the most common tactic was to pin something on Carsein.

Amidst such people, finding someone to stand by Carsein and help him seemed impossible…

But then, he found the answer.

A prominent territory.

Not long ago, it was treated as a barren wasteland with nothing but rocky hills, but it rose spectacularly to become the central hub of Imperial transportation.

Rusmaier provided the answer, suggesting they could make allies through trading ballast with Carsein.

However, even finding a candidate wasn’t easy.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t help Carsein.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know about other Western regions, but we’re trying to reclaim our original lands with the cooperation of Rusmaier.”

As Rusmaier soared brilliantly, the House of Aiferos sought to reclaim the land previously held by the Yarik tribe.

In this situation, aside from trading ballast with Rusmaier, there was no immediate way to help Carsein.

It was a disappointment.

Finding an ally for Carsein who couldn’t actually help was disheartening.

This meant searching for a new person.

But Claire didn’t give up and asked,

“The House of Aiferos can’t help, but the House of Rilfetten can?”

Since the House of Aiferos couldn’t get involved, Claire candidly expressed her intention to contact the House of Rilfetten, leveraging its high standing among Westerners.

“I wish you gave me time to think.”

Laying out all the facts, the Marquis Aiferos didn’t respond immediately.

“The Westerners harbor deep resentment towards Imperial nobles. And I’m no different. Given such treatment, even if I accept a commission, I need time to consider. Moreover, there’s no guarantee that things will work out well.”

The House of Rilfetten had received a warning from the House of Bargrand in the past, resulting in some of its territory being returned to the Empire. The distrust towards the House of Rilfetten was deep, and overcoming it wouldn’t be easy.

The deadline was set for when the second-week meeting report would be made.

If she responded, she would do so within that timeframe, otherwise, she wouldn’t reach out or be reached until then.

But Pollux didn’t show up after the meeting ended.

Claire lowered her head.

“…I thought there was a chance to help a little. Is this not possible either?”

Just when she thought she had finally found someone who could help Carsein.

At that moment.

*Clop, clop.*

The sound of hooves approached closer.

Claire, with a heavy heart, lifted her head again.

She saw a warrior on horseback.

*Neigh!*

Pollux stopped his horse near Claire.

Pollux extended his hand to Claire.

“Climb onto the horse.”

“Get on? Why…?”

“According to my subordinate, the hatred towards nobles has increased. Rilfetten now refuses even imperial letters.”

“…”

“So, this is all I can do. Will you try? Or give up?”

Give up?

That’s ridiculous…

*Splat!*

“Hah. That’s right.”

As Claire grabbed his hand, Pollux used force to lift her onto the horse.

***

“Hmph. Sending another letter like this. Those disgusting imperial scum.”

*Screech!*

“Captain. Should I tear this up?”

A man waved his hand dismissively.

Upon hearing this, his subordinate tore the letter to shreds.

Then, he lit a small fire with magic and threw the letter into the flames.

*Crackle, pop!*

“It burns well!”

The flame consumed the letter instantly, turning it to ashes.

Still unsatisfied, the residents of Rilfetten used their mana to intensify the fire, hoping the letter would be reduced to nothing, leaving no trace.

At that moment.

The hand reaching for more firewood stopped.

“A guest?”

Count Talpon, from a distance, murmured as he heard the voice.

In this remote corner of Rilfetten, it was unusual for outsiders to visit.

Considering the deep-seated resentment, even imperial letters weren’t received.

Therefore, anyone riding a horse here must be a fellow Westerner.

“Everyone, step back a bit.”

Talpon ordered his tribesmen to step back and resumed feeding the fire.

Soon, the horse’s footsteps ceased.

A familiar figure approached.

“It’s been a while, Pollux.”

“Yeah. It’s been ages, Talpon.”

They exchanged a fist bump.

Such was the gruff greeting of Westerners.

“What brings you here? Visiting us from the House of Aiferos?”

“Hmm. Came here because of that matter before.”

“Before?”

“The letter I sent.”

A grim smile formed on Talpon’s lips.

“Oh, you mean the letter suggesting we strengthen Rilfetten’s power and change Westerners’ perception of us by supporting Rusmaier?”

“…”

“If that’s why you’re here, get lost. I’ve had enough of those imperial scum.”

Although recent noble and royal letters were burned and forgotten, Talpon remembered clearly who the lord of Rusmaier was.

Carsein Bargrand.

Though he accepted the offer, the response was pressure from the House of Bargrand.

He betrayed his promise with Rilfetten and ultimately caused the rotten Rohia seed incident.

The name of the person responsible, Talpon couldn’t forget.

“I already replied by returning part of the land given by the Empire. We no longer have any hope in the Empire. If you don’t want to be seen as their lackey, you should leave.”

“I haven’t acted as a lackey.”

“Bringing that imperial here and spouting nonsense to me?”

Vaguely, Pollux sensed the scent of powder from the imperial noble women when he sat down.

Their perfumed clothes and the unique smell of imperial mana lingered.

These hints led him to realize the imperial was with Pollux.

“There’s a reason I brought this imperial here.”

“Haha. You didn’t bring just anyone, but this woman here. What’s the meaning of this, Pollux? Bringing the second princess of the House of Bargrand here? What reason is there to bring her here?”

Moreover, she isn’t just an imperial.

She’s the one who made Talpon return the land given by the Empire, forcing him to withdraw.

It was Claire Bargrand, known as the second princess of the House of Bargrand.

Seeing through these facts, Talpon glared at Pollux despite being a fellow Westerner.

But Pollux answered calmly.

“This imperial woman came here to seek forgiveness from you and Rilfetten.”

“What?”

Talpon frowned, as if saying this was absurd.

“You once made a promise with a boy, Talpon.”

“So what?”

“That girl broke that promise, and if she came to apologize, what would you do?”

Talpon turned his head towards Claire’s direction.

On closer inspection, she had no guards around her. She came alone, to this Western region.

Previously, she led her soldiers and applied pressure with threats and magic.

Yet, she came alone, to this place where retaliation could occur?

“I thought there were no more imperial scum like that. But recently, I met a decent person. He’s the boy with whom you made the promise and helped build a sturdy fortress for Aiferos through our deal.”

“…”

“If this is a misunderstanding, we can clear it up and chase them away. How about listening to their story once?”

After a moment, Talpon placed the firewood.

“…Fine, I’ll listen once. If you act suspiciously or say anything unreasonable, I’ll throw you out.”

“Alright.”

Whether she came to apologize or to threaten again, it would be clear once he heard the story.

***

After the report date, I revised the farming method and planted strawberries and grapes.

In essence, it was a battle.

Planting the same crops on the same land but with different methods.

And the result was:

▶ Harvested C-Rank Shatren Strawberries! ◀

My victory.

“Wow… This seems to be one of the best new crops recently.”

“Exactly as Ferdy said. The color reminds me of the old days…”

The village chief’s granddaughter said as much, which says it all.

The status window showed the grade, giving me a legitimate reason.

▶ Clue and Prove Event can now be initiated. ◀

“Of course, I could point out the farming method and start the event now, but not right away.”

I chuckled as I watched a certain someone swallowing saliva in the distance.

I picked a strawberry I harvested and threw it to him.

“Whoa!”

“Take it.”

“Are you sure? Selling this could fetch quite a lot of money.”

Here, normally choices would appear, but since this is part of managing the territory, no choices appeared.

‘Well, I’m doing this for a reward, but…’

Still, I wanted to say this.

“There’s nothing more important than human life, Daike.”

“…”

“Helketa I Disease can be cured in a day. I’ll give you two days off. Make sure your younger sibling recovers properly during that time.”

Daike bowed repeatedly.

“Thank you… Thank you so much.”

▶ Provided Agent with necessary item. ◀

▶ Affinity increased! ◀

[ Target: Daike ]

[ Current Value: 15% ]

▶ Agent ability usage recharged. ◀

▶ Territory Control

[ Can control entry to Shatren Territory for a time proportional to rank. External attacks disappear or diminish, with higher ranks increasing effect duration. ]

…But, that guy.

Didn’t he originally say something about “pani mani”?

From what I remember, he usually just bowed without saying anything.